dictatorship
noun
dic·ta·tor·ship
dik-ˈtā-tər-ˌship 
ˈdik-ˌtā-
1
: the office of dictator
2
: autocratic rule, control, or leadership
people suffering under his dictatorship
3
a
: a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small clique
Communism and dictatorship
b
: a government organization or group in which absolute power is so concentrated
rising up against a military dictatorship
c
: a despotic state
establishing a dictatorship
Examples of dictatorship in a Sentence
The country suffered for many years under his dictatorship.
His enemies accused him of establishing a dictatorship.
Recent Examples on the Web
During the dictatorship, blackouts were used to control people.
—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
But if Trump’s Iran gamble turns out well and Iran’s theocratic dictatorship either crumbles or gives up its uranium enrichment program through diplomatic negotiations — a big if — Trump will be credited with having done something four previous presidents contemplated but ultimately failed to do.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
The United States is well down the road to dictatorship.
—Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025
This happens in third world dictatorships, not in America.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
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Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
But if Trump’s Iran gamble turns out well and Iran’s theocratic dictatorship either crumbles or gives up its uranium enrichment program through diplomatic negotiations — a big if — Trump will be credited with having done something four previous presidents contemplated but ultimately failed to do.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
The United States is well down the road to dictatorship.
—Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025
This happens in third world dictatorships, not in America.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dictatorship
Cite this Entry
“Dictatorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictatorship. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dictatorship
noun
dic·ta·tor·ship
dik-ˈtāt-ər-ˌship
ˈdik-ˌtāt-
1
: the office of a dictator
2
: rule, control, or leadership by one person with total power
3
: a government or country in which total power is held by a dictator or a small group
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